Saturday, April 28, 2012

Postmarked Minnesota

Dear Friend,

I'm not quite sure how to say what's on my mind. I realize this
is awkward, and I apologize in advance if what I'm about to say hurts
your feelings. I certainly value our friendship too much to jeopardize it over
something that I fear might sound terribly petty.

I can assure you I've gone back and forth on this
question for weeks now, trying to look at it from every angle and turning it
over in my mind in search of the tactful approach. I think --I hope-- that you
know me well enough to recognize that I would never say anything to
deliberately hurt you, and I have always been a man willing to bite my tongue
if I thought it would in any way advance the cause of civility.

I've no doubt, in fact, that you are well aware of
the perception of me as a man of no small reserve; that, at any rate, is how I
believe the world sees me, and not without reason. I have rarely felt myself
compelled or qualified to address another man's shortcomings or pry into his
personal business, even when, as now, other people have been talking and I've
been concerned for a friend's well-being.

I just thought perhaps...honestly, it’s not a big
deal at all, but...well, I was wondering if maybe....